The effects of zinc oxide nanorod on the barrier, sorption isotherm and antibacterial properties of tapioca starch/bovine gelatin Bionanocomposite films were investigated. The nanorod-rich ZnO (ZnO-N) was homogenized by sonication and incorporated into tapioca starch/bovine gelatin solutions at different concentrations (e.g. 0.5, 2, and 3.5% w/w dried solid). Incorporation of 3.5% of nanoparticles into tapioca starch/bovin gelatin films decreased the permeability to water vapor by 18%. The addition of low concentration ZnO-N to starch/gelatin solutions significantly decreased monolayer water content of the films. ZnO-N tapioca starch/bovin gelatin films exhibited excellent anti-microbial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The results showed that the Bionanocomposite of ZnO-N has the potential to be an active packaging material in the pharmaceutical and food industries.